Poor connectivity in GB hampers tourism, disaster response

Poor connectivity in GB hampers tourism, disaster response.

Key points

• Jamil Nagri Published September 5, 2026 Updated September 5, 2026 07: 56am.
• Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) Chairman Nabeel Awan briefed the committee on the availability, transportation and storage of petroleum products and LPG in GB.
• Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) Chairman Azfar Manzoor briefed the committee via video link on various problems concerning GB.
• Senior authorities of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) briefed the committee on disaster preparedness, early warning systems, rescue facilities and available funds in GB.
• Jamil Nagri is a Gilgit-Baltistan-based correspondent for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism.

Jamil Nagri Published September 5, 2026 Updated September 5, 2026 07: 56am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

Chief Minister Hussain notes satellite connectivity essential to monitor 7, 000 glaciers, protect region from catastrophe Senate committee directs measures to improve internet, oil and LPG supplies in the region.

GILGIT: Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Amjad Hussain informed a parliamentary committee on Friday the poor state of cellular connectivity in the region not only affected tourism but additionally severely hampered relief and rescue operations during emergencies.

Addressing a session of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, presided over by its chairman Senator Mahmood-ul-Hassan, at the GB Assembly in Gilgit, CM Hussain stated satellite connectivity was essential for monitoring the 7, 000 glaciers in GB and ensuring effective disaster management to protect the region from any major catastrophe.

He remarked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) should play a proactive role in ensuring stable internet connectivity in GB. He clarified that the Special Com­munications Organisation (SCO) was merely a service provider and, therefore, the PTA should fulfil its responsibilities as the regulator.

While it was a limited option for other mountainous and difficult-to-access areas, he remarked fibre-optic connectivity was feasible only in the urban areas.

CM Hussain remarked satellite connectivity was essential for monitoring glaciers and keeping track of natural disasters in the region, citing the recent natural disaster in Nepal as an example of the importance of such connectivity. He continued that effective disaster response was feasible only through coordination among all relevant institutions.

PTA Chairman retired Gen Hafeezur Rehman informed the committee that, in accordance with the directives of PM Shehbaz, the authority was taking measures to improve internet services in GB. He remarked obstacles and challenges affecting internet connectivity in the region would be reviewed and necessary steps would be taken to address them.

In practice, the committee chairman remarked GB was amo­ng the most beautiful regions in the world and attracted thousands of tourists every year, but slow internet speeds remained a major problem and required immediate attention. He remarked no country or region could develop in the modern era without reliable internet connectivity.

Therefore, Senator Hassan remarked, it was essential to provide the GB residents with modern, high-speed and quality internet services. He remarked another gathering would be held in Gilgit, inviting all relevant stakeholders and private network firms to discuss improvements in internet services.

Senior authorities of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) briefed the committee on disaster preparedness, early warning systems, rescue facilities and available funds in GB. They additionally briefed the committee on the damage caused by floods, landslides, avalanches and other natural disasters during the past five years, compensation paid to victims, and relief and rescue operations.

Notably, the committee chairman stressed the need to further strengthen the role of the NDMA in dealing with natural disasters in GB. He remarked floods and other natural disasters had caused extensive damage in various parts of the reg­ion, making it essential to ensure the timely provision of assistance to affected communities.

Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) Chairman Nabeel Awan briefed the committee on the availability, transportation and storage of petroleum products and LPG in GB. He remarked the region had sufficient storage capacity to maintain oil reserves capable of gathering its requirements for 20 to 30 days. He additionally briefed the committee on oil storage facilities in Baltistan division.

Senator Aamir Waliuddin Chishti directed that oil and LPG storage capacity in GB be rose. He asked Ogra authorities to effectively raise matters related to oil and LPG storage in GB with the federal petroleum ministry and take necessary measures for their permanent resolution.

Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) Chairman Azfar Manzoor briefed the committee via video link on various problems concerning GB. He remarked the authority had previously taken steps towards establishing a special technology zone in the region and was ready to continue playing its role in this regard.

Notably, the body chairman remarked GB was a tax-free region and, therefore, there should be no technical difficulty in establishing a special technology zone in the region. Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2026.

Jamil Nagri is a Gilgit-Baltistan-based correspondent for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism. His reporting and feature writing focus on CPEC, climate change, the environment, and adventure tourism. He can be discovered on X at @jamilnagri.

Taken together, the developments around poor connectivity in GB hampers tourism, disaster response point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.